Three-dimensional image processing system having dynamically changing character polygon number

1. A method of displaying a movable character having a body and a face on a display screen, comprising: displaying the character on the display screen using a first number of polygons for the body and a second number of polygons for the face; detecting when said character is moving at greater than a first predetermined speed; and displaying said character using a third number of polygons for the body while said character is moving at greater than the first predetermined speed, wherein said third number of polygons is less than said first number of polygons.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 , further including displaying the face using said second number of polygons, regardless of the speed of the character.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 , further including detecting when said character is moving at greater than a second predetermined speed which is greater than said first determined speed; and displaying said character using a fourth number of polygons for the body while said character is moving at greater than said second predetermined speed, wherein said fourth number of polygons is less than said third number of polygons.

4. The method of claim 3 , further including displaying the face using said second number of polygons, regardless of the speed of the character.

5. The method of claim 1 , further including displaying said character in simulated three-dimensional world, and enabling a player to control the character's movement in said three dimensional world.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein an overall image of said character remains substantially the same regardless of the speed of said character's movement.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein an overall image of said character remains substantially the same regardless of the speed of said character's movement.